By Courtney Rabideau (Contact / Staff Bio)
June 28, 2008 - 12:00 a.m. EST

MAYVILLE ‹ Braeden Ball is giggling as his mother, Cyndi, tickles him on a routine Tuesday morning. After playing with foam letters covered in applesauce, Braeden runs around the pool with excitement, anticipating the time when he can finally get in.

Like any other six-year-old boy, Braeden also loves wrestling with his older brother, Dylan, and spending time in front of the television.

But, unlike most six-year-old boys, Braeden has autism, a developmental disorder that has placed his family on what his father, John, describes as a “constant roller coaster.”

When Braeden was about two and a half, Cyndi began noticing that her little boy wasn’t functioning socially as other toddlers were.

Both John and Cyndi commented, “He had no awareness of any emotional connection to either of us. He’d sit for hours in front of the television and show no response to any of our attempts. When he wanted something, he’d take our hands and walk us around the house to show us. Actual communication was minimal.”

After a year of endless questions and consultations with pediatricians and doctors alike, the Balls talked to professionals with the Tuscola Intermediate School District, who diagnosed Braeden with autism.

So began Braeden’s therapy.

At only three years of age, Braeden and his family shuttled back and forth to the William Beaumont Hospital’s Hands-On Parent Education (HOPE) Center, which provides behavioral intervention knowledge to families of children with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. For three straight months, John accompanied Braeden to Detroit for the program.

“It’s a draining world to live in,” John said. “There’s a constant exhaustion to make sure he’s safe and to make sure he’s on track with therapy.”

“It’s almost indescribable.”

An integral person in Braeden’s life and progress has been Connie TerBush, who is loosely called his therapist, but known better as a friend.

“Connie has been spectacular,” Cyndi said. “We’ve seen nothing but an uphill climb since she met Braeden.”

With her help, and the support of many others, Braeden later started attending the Kaufman Children’s Clinic in West Bloomfield for occupational therapy. This summer, every day in the month of June was spent driving back and forth for speech therapy.

Despite the bad days, the Balls are quick to highlight the good, noting that even the slightest progress is cause for celebration.

“Along with so many other things, Braeden constantly teaches us to appreciate the little things in life. He has made tremendous gains. We are thankful for so much. To our family, friends, therapists, doctors, teachers and school personnel, everyone has dedicated time, energy and money to helping and supporting our family,” both agreed.

Now, Braeden is being mainstreamed full-time into a typical classroom setting. To aid him, and not only within the school’s walls, the Ball family is hoping to purchase an additional friend for the family.

Through the “4 Paws For Ability” program, Braeden’s family is raising money to qualify him for a trained autism assistance dog.

“A year ago, some family friends received a 4 Paws dog. After talking extensively with them and each other, we contacted the center, filled out an application and were approved. Now, the financial aspect is the greatest obstacle,” said John.

An assistance dog would provide more than just a friend to play Frisbee with. Because Braeden is easily overwhelmed by sights and sounds, the dog would act as a constant safety prescence. Braeden also has little fear of traffic, strangers or even being separated from his family in a public place. Because he would be attached to the dog by a special leash, these dangers would greatly decrease.

“The dog would also help Braeden’s behavior, especially in school. It’s a stressful environment, and a dog would help him immensely,” John added.

To help curb the $13,000 necessary to welcome an assistance dog into the family, the Balls are hosting “A Night To Make It Happen...Paws for Braeden,” a pork barbeque to be held July 26.

Set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Vassar Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 651 State Rd. (M-15) in Vassar, the event will feature dancing, karaoke, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, live DJ and a cash bar.

Advance tickets are $20, with all proceeds helping the Balls acquire the service dog.

Already, the Balls have been blessed by the generosity of many local businesses. “People are just coming out of the woodwork to help,” said Cyndi.

“Even beyond financial donations, those who send cards or offer words of encouragment give us hope and faith to keep us going,” John put in.

“We are beyond blessed,” he continued, “Larsen Graphics has donated all advertising material for the event, as well as a huge donation from Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans. There are so many people and organizations who are helping to make this dream a reality.”

“Janson Equipment Sales in Reese, the Odawa Casino in Petoskey, Hager Distribution in Saginaw, so many have been exceptionally generous to our family. Even local businesses like Wingert’s and Wal-Mart have donated for the silent auction. It’s humbling,” said Cyndi.

She added: “I’ll always worry, I’m a mom. But having this dog as a member of our family will allow me to breathe and not be frantic all the time.”

On posters advertising the event, John and Cyndi commented, “We’d love to see Braeden be known as the ‘Kid with the Dog’ instead of the ‘Kid with Autism.’”

“Regardless of autism, it’s nice for people to recognize how necessary it is to be involved in the lives of others. We can’t wait to thank you all at the benefit,” said John.

For questions about tickets or the benefit itself, contact the Balls at (989) 843-6082.

For further information on the 4 Paws For Ability programs, visit http://www.4pawsforability.org/.